(Denver, Colo.-August 25, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education, based in Monticello, Utah with a $36,427 environmental education grant to carry out a Colorado Plateau water conservation program for K-8 teachers and students. The program will partner with 12 schools in the Four Corners area (Colo., Utah, Ariz., and N.M.), to deliver place-based water resource and conservation training and education. The K-8 teachers who are trained will become mentors and teachers to their teaching colleagues at their respective schools. A total of 144 teachers will subsequently educate some 3600 students. Water education will cover the water cycle and conservation, watersheds and water quality testing, among many other water education topics.

“Environmental Education grants are extremely competitive and this year's grantees represent the best of the best," said Wendy Dew, EPA Region 8 environmental education coordinator. "These are innovative projects that will advance community awareness and shape the next generation of environmental stewards."

Under the 1990 National Environmental Education Act, EPA has the authority to support and create environmental education programs nationwide. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, community groups, tribes, schools and universities. More information about EPA’s environmental education grants program is available at http://www.epa.gov/education/grants.html.